Almost without question the UFC’s biggest star currently, Ronda Rousey’s reign of destruction has seen her obliterate all-comers since bringing women’s MMA to the Octagon in early 2013. Her latest challenger, Bethe Correia, boasts ferocity and serious striking power as her main assets, but instead played the trash talk card. Enraged by her Brazilian rival’s pre-fight comments, did the world’s most dominant female fighter exact revenge, or did Correia succeed in pulling off one of the greatest upsets in history?
Rampant 'Rowdy'
Making Correia pay for her ultra aggressive behavior leading up to the event, Ronda Rousey stayed perfect and retained her title in the sweetest of manners. Mimicking Correia’s style, Rousey went straight for the clinch, backing the Brazilian challenger to the fence. Shaking off Correia’s strikes with utter disdain, Rousey may have missed more than she landed, but it only took a left, a knee and a right to the temple to send Correia crashing face first into the canvas after just 34 seconds of first round action. The champion promised to make the challenger pay, and she lived up to her promise once again.
Rousey’s domination has been stunning, but questions have long stood concerning the quality of her opponents. The gulf between her and the competition has always appeared vast, and this latest victory will do nothing to quell opinion that Rousey is peerless at 135 pounds. A third fight against Miesha Tate looms, but Rousey, the UFC, and the whole MMA world know who her next challenge should be.
Sequel Goes to ‘Shogun’
It didn’t resemble anything close to their classic first encounter ten years ago, but ‘Shogun’ Rua did just enough to pick up a 2-1 decision victory over fellow Brazilian legend Antônio ‘Little Nog’ Nogueira. Looking and moving much better than we’ve seen in recent years, ‘Shogun’ connected with multiple kicks to the body and stayed active with takedown attempts in the later rounds. The aged Nogueira found success with an early flurry which had Rua reeling, and a guillotine attempt in the third, but was unable to finish or offer anything else over the course of the 15-minute duel.
França Outgrapples Bruno to Claim TUF Glory
With a two-round lead and just fifteen seconds remaining in the fight, Glaico França completed an emphatic victory over TUF rival Fernando Bruno with a late submission finish. Hulking over his opponent, França was simply too big and too strong for Bruno to contend with. Dominated on the ground for almost the entire fight, Bruno’s will broke as he succumbed to a rear naked choke with mere seconds left on the clock.
Vieira Decisions Lopes in Wild Brawl
In probably one of the most entertaining TUF final fights since the TUF final ten years ago, Reginaldo Vieira secured the bantamweight TUF competition with a unanimous decision after a three-round war with Dileno Lopes. Fully taking advantage of their unexpected high placement on such a high-profile event, both fighters bit down on their mouthpiece and swung for the fences from start to finish. Clearly experiencing the lion’s share of success on the feet, Vieira almost finished his adversary with a tight guillotine early, but Lopes escaped and even answered with one of his own. Bloodied after two rounds of action, Lopes almost stole the win with another choke attempt in the final round, but was unable to finish his resilient opponent.
‘Skyscraper’ Overcomes Legendary ‘Big Nog’
Endless kicks to the gut and sturdy takedown defense helped Stefan Struve secure his first win since returning from a potentially life-threatening illness in 2013. Initially, and unwisely standing directly in front of the war-worn veteran ‘Big Nog’ Nogueira, Struve finally picked up the pace in the final frame, as a number of leg kicks and straight punches to the face found their mark. Other than a few early well-placed shots to the delicate chin of his giant opponent, Nogueira was unable to muster anything significant to swing the fight in his favor, and as a result sunk to a third consecutive defeat for the first time in his storied 46-fight career.
‘Bigfoot’ Silva Smashes Poor Palelei
Going back to the same trick that secured his last victory, a brutal knockout over Alistair Overeem back in 2013, veteran Brazilian Antônio Silva snapped a four-fight winless run after a ruthless uppercut and follow-up punches left Australian Soa Palelei unable to continue. Scoring big in the opening round with a takedown and ground and pound, Palelei was unable to replicate the same success in the following frame, and paid with his consciousness after being pushed against the fence early in the second.
Gadelha Outclasses Newcomer Aguilar
Hungry to secure a rematch with the now-champion of the women’s 115 pound division, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Cláudia Gadelha booked her opportunity with a dominant decision victory over promotional newcomer Jessica Aguilar. Long considered as one of the best of her weight class, Aguilar was unable to find the correct response to the exquisite striking, movement and takedowns of her Brazilian opponent. The most recent World Series of Fighting women’s strawweight champion was able to slow Gadelha in the final moments thanks to a smattering of stiff leg kicks, but it was a case of too little, too late.
UFC 190 Main Card Results:
Women's Strawweight
Cláudia Gadelha def Jessica Aguilar via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Heavyweight
Antônio Silva def Soa Palelei via TKO (punches)
Heavyweight
Stefan Struve def Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ultimate Fighter Brazil Bantamweight Final
Reginaldo Vieira def Dileno Lopes via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Ultimate Fighter Brazil Lightweight Final
Glaico França def Fernando Bruno via submission (rear naked choke) in round 3
Light Heavyweight
Maurício Rua def Antônio Rogério Nogueira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Women's Bantamweight Championship
Ronda Rousey © def Bethe Correia via KO (punches) in round 1
Event Awards:
Best Fight: Reginaldo Vieira vs. Dileno Lopes
Best Finish: Ronda Rousey
MVP: Ronda Rousey
What did you think of UFC 190? Leave your comments and analysis in the comments section below!
